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Acts 16

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

What does Acts 16:32 mean?

Explanation

Acts 16:32 details a moment of evangelism in which Paul and Silas, early Christian apostles, are speaking the Word of the Lord to a Philippian jailer and his family.

This event takes place immediately after a miraculous earthquake opens the doors of the prison where Paul and Silas are held.

The jailer, awoken and seeing the prison doors open, presumes the prisoners have escaped and is about to kill himself, thinking he would face harsh punishment.

However, Paul stops him, assuring him that all the prisoners are still present.

The verse signifies the extension of the Gospel message to all members of a household, not just the individual convert.

The phrase "the word of the Lord" signifies the teachings of the Christian doctrine, including the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The deeper meaning suggests the transformative power of the Gospel that not only liberates physically, as seen in the prison break, but also spiritually by bringing an entire household to faith, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The verse is situated during Paul’s second missionary journey, notable for the spread of Christianity into Europe.

The setting is the Roman colony of Philippi in Macedonia.

The historical context here is crucial; Philippi was a society organized under Roman law, where family and household units (the 'oikos') were central to social structure.

Religious beliefs and practices were often adopted at a household level.

Thus, the conversion of a household would represent a significant shift in the social-religious fabric of the time.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Acts 16:32 has often been seen as evidence of God's intention to save not just individuals, but entire families.

This verse is sometimes used to support the practice of household baptism, indicating that one person's faith may have a saving effect on others within the family unit, though others argue that personal belief is necessary for salvation, as indicated elsewhere in the New Testament.

Additionally, this passage highlights the belief in the proactive nature of God's grace. The jailer's reaction to the earthquake, his readiness to listen and convert, may also be seen as a prevenient grace, where the grace of God is working before the individual is even aware of it.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse can inspire modern believers to share their faith with their entire household, emphasizing the importance of a collective faith journey.

It also serves as encouragement for Christians to rely on God's providence in difficult situations, much like Paul and Silas did in prison.

Cross-References

Acts 16:31 - "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Joshua 24:15 - "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Acts 11:14 - "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."
1 Corinthians 1:16 - "And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term for "word" is "λόγον (logon)" which can refer to a word, speech, principle, or doctrine.

The phrase "the word of the Lord" emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message being delivered.

Another term, "οἶκον (oikon)," translates to house and can mean both the physical dwelling and the household or family living within.

The language underscores the belief that the Gospel message is all-encompassing and inclusive of entire families.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader context of ancient religions, the conversion of a household leader often implied the conversion of the entire household.

Similar to Roman patron-client relationships, where the patron's choice of deity could determine the religious practices of dependents, the baptism of the Philippian jailer's household reflects a pattern familiar in the ancient world, but with a new Christian identity.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself does not directly invite scientific analysis, modern psychology may shed light on the phenomena of group dynamics and decision-making within families.

The influence of a family leader's beliefs on the rest of the household can be evaluated through the lens of social science, considering factors like conformity, authority, and the transmission of beliefs.

Commentaries

Commentators on Acts 16:32 often focus on the exemplary nature of Paul and Silas’s evangelism.

Theologian John Calvin notes the importance of ensuring everyone in the household was provided the opportunity for salvation.

Matthew Henry contextualizes the verse as a demonstration of divine patience and mercy.

Contemporary scholars might explore the jailer's response as an illustration of the radical and immediate change conversion to Christianity could elicit and note the subsequent changes in household dynamics and societal relations that would follow from such conversions.

Acts 16

Acts 16

What does Acts 16:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 16:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?